Wheelchair tennis champion Sithole survives carjack

US Open wheelchair tennis champion Lucas Sithole from South Africa escaped unhurt from an attempted in Johannesburg carjacking this weekend. Wheelchair Tennis South Africa official Bruce Davidson said a four-man gang tried to steal the car Sithole and his brother were travelling in late on Friday.

Lucas Sithole

Davidson said the men were dragged from the car and their mobile phones were taken before the attackers fled. The official added that Sithole and his brother were traumatised but not physically hurt. “I am glad my car, wallet and life are still with me,” Sithole told reporters.

“We are extremely grateful that Lucas and his brother were not injured,” said Holger Losch, who coaches Sithole. The 27-year-old, who lost both legs and an arm in a train accident, last year became the first African to win a wheelchair tennis ‘grand slam’ event.